THE ORGANIZATION

The Center for Justice Innovation (formerly the Center for Court Innovation) is a non-profit organization that works with communities and justice systems to advance equity, increase safety, and help individuals and communities thrive. The Center's goal is to identify and resolve as early as possible the challenges that bring people into the criminal and civil legal systems. It does this in a number of ways—by developing and running programs that reduce the need for incarceration and enhance economic opportunity, conducting original research to identify what works, and sharing what we learn from our programming and research with those seeking to transform the justice system around the world.

The Center is an 800-employee, $100 million nonprofit that accomplishes its vision through three pillars of work: creating and scaling operating programs to test new ideas and solve problems, performing original research to determine what works (and what doesn’t), and providing expert assistance and policy guidance to justice reformers around the world.

Operating Programs

The Center’s operating programs, including the award-winning Red Hook Community Justice Center and Midtown Community Justice Center, test new ideas, solve difficult problems, and attempt to achieve systemic change within the justice system. Our projects include community-based violence prevention programs, alternatives to incarceration, reentry initiatives, and court-based initiatives that reduce the use of unnecessary incarceration and promote positive individual and family change. Through this programming, we have produced tangible results like safer streets, reduced incarceration, and improved neighborhood perceptions of justice.

Research

The Center's research teams are staffed with social scientists, data analysts, and lawyers who are academically-trained or have lived experience and who conduct research in the U.S. and globally on diverse criminal-legal system and justice issues. Their work includes evaluating programs and policies; conducting exploratory, community-based studies; and providing research translation and strategic planning for system actors. The Center has published studies on topics including court and jail reform, intimate partner violence, restorative justice, gun violence, reentry, sixth amendment rights, and progressive prosecution. The research teams strive to make their work meaningful and actionable to the communities they work with, policymakers, and practitioners.

Policy & Expert Assistance

The Center provides hands-on, planning and implementation assistance to a wide range of jurisdictions in areas of reform such as problem-solving courts (e.g., community courts, treatment courts, domestic violence courts), tribal justice, reducing incarceration and the use of fines/fees and reducing crime and violence. Our current expert assistance takes many forms, including help with analyzing data, strategic planning and consultation, policy guidance, and hosting site visits to its operating programs in the New York City area. 

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Finance Department is responsible for managing and processing financial information for The Center, which includes recommending, implementing and monitoring internal controls across multiple areas; including but not limited to: general ledger, budgeting, purchasing, cash receipts, bank reconciliation, compliance with Fiscal requirements for government reporting, financial statement preparation, and external reporting of financial information. The Finance Department consists of staff that work together to ensure contract compliance while providing financial flexibility and transparency to help programs deliver the biggest impact possible.

The Finance Department is seeking a Senior Budget Analyst. Reporting to the Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis, the Senior Budget Analyst supports the Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis and the Fiscal Department by overseeing project and grant management compliance, budgeting, forecasting, and invoice and expense review and reconciliation.

• Work with Project Directors and Department leaders to develop budgets and forecasts for revenue and operating expenses;
• Manage project grants, budgets, revenue, expenditures and contract compliance;
• Analyze project costs and variances to budget and forecast;
• Review monthly cost and submit adjusting journal entries, as needed;
• Reconcile accounting reports to our financial system reports and produce monthly project forecasts;
• Manage relationships and reporting to government agencies and other funders;
• Work with the Financial Controller and Accounting Manager to ensure accurate programmatic and grant/project income, expense reporting and compliance;
• Review and process invoices;
• Review and approve vendor invoices, time sheets and expense reports;
• Support Directors with financial duties and special projects, as needed;
• Provide financial preparation support to the Development Department, as needed;
• Manage and provide oversight for National Initiatives and Research and Policy program areas;
• Provide financial review and approval of the Center’s expense contracts;
• Provide training of financial system software for staff, as needed;
• Provide training of fiscal policies and procedures for staff, as needed;
• Additional relevant tasks, as needed.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's in accounting, finance, or related field and a minimum of 5-7 years of work experience with budgets and grants/contracts. Other qualifications include:

• Leadership skills preferred; 
• Experience in nonprofit and/or government accounting, including grant and contract accounting, compliance, and reporting strongly preferred;
• Excellent written skills are a must;
• Candidate must be skilled communicator able to work in multi-disciplinary setting and maintain strong relationships with multiple agencies and organizations both onsite and in the community.

Position Type: Full-time.

Position Location: Manhattan, NY

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $75,000 - $95,500 and is commensurate with experience. The Center for Justice Innovation offers an excellent benefits package including comprehensive healthcare with a national network, free basic dental coverage, vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts including commuter FSA. We prioritize mental health care for our staff and offer services like Talkspace and Ginger through our healthcare plans. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan with a two-to-one employer contribution up to 5%.

The Center for Justice Innovation is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace, and as such, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other category protected by law. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from women, people of color, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities, as well as individuals with prior contact with the criminal justice system. Our aim is to create a supportive and respectful environment where every individual, irrespective of their background or identity, feels valued and included.

As of February 10, 2023, New York City Executive Order 25 rescinded the requirement of the COVID-19 vaccination for City workers, new hires, and contracted employees. Accordingly, the Center does not require all new hires be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus; however, the Center recommends all staff, interns, and volunteers stay up-to-date on the vaccination.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete an employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. Kindly refer to the job posting for the relevant contact information. If the contact details are not provided, we kindly ask that you refrain from making inquiries via phone or email, as only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.